Horse racing in the UK is a sport with a long history full of famous deeds and unforgettable moments.
Many fans of racing enjoy stockpiling those memories. Apart from anything else, they can come in handy when you are taking part in a sports trivia quiz!
So here, in one place, are some facts and figures about famous historical races and other horse racing highlights from ARC courses and elsewhere.
Famous Historical Races
- Where is the Grand National held? - Aintree, near Liverpool.
- When’s the Grand National run each year? - On a Saturday in early April.
- In which year was the St Leger at Doncaster first run? - 1776.
- Who rode the winner of the first Welsh Grand National run at Chepstow? - Dick Francis, on Fighting Line in 1949.
- At which course is the Midlands Grand National run? - Uttoxeter.
- What is the name of the first major handicap of the Flat season? - The Lincoln, run at Doncaster.
- How many fences are jumped in the Cheltenham Gold Cup? - 22.
- Over what distance is the Champion Hurdle run? - Two miles.
- Which two Classics are run at Epsom? - The Derby and the Oaks.
- Which course is home to the Coral-Eclipse? - Sandown Park.
Famous Racecourses
- Queen Elizabeth II had her first winner as an owner at Fontwell Park. What was its name? - Monaveen.
- Which UK racecourse is closest to the sea? - Great Yarmouth.
- Which racecourse used to have the nickname Leafy? - Lingfield Park.
- Which racecourse is located in Dunstall Park? - Wolverhampton.
- How many feet above sea level is Bath racecourse? - 780 (238m).
- Which is the only racecourse in Staffordshire? - Uttoxeter.
- Which race at Newcastle used to be known as the Pitmen’s Derby? - The Northumberland Plate.
- Which is the only UK racecourse you can get to by boat? - Royal Windsor.
- Which three racecourses are located in Wales? - Chepstow, Ffos Las and Bangor-on-Dee.
- At which racecourse is the final obstacle known as the Johnny Ridley Fence? - Sedgefield.
Famous Horses
- In which year did Red Rum win his third Grand National? - 1977.
- Who is the last horse to win the UK Triple Crown of 2,000 Guineas, Derby and St Leger? - Nijinsky in 1970.
- Who won the Fighting Fifth Hurdle at Newcastle by 12 lengths in 2022? - Constitution Hill.
- Which was Frankel’s 14th and final race? - The Champion Stakes in 2012.
- How many times did Desert Orchid win the King George VI Chase? - Four.
- Which horse won the 2,000 Guineas, Derby, Coral-Eclipse, International Stakes, Irish Champion Stakes and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 2009? - Sea The Stars.
- Kauto Star won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2007 and 2009. Which horse won it in 2008? - Denman.
- Who is the only horse to have won four Gold Cups at Ascot? - Yeats (2006-09).
- Which horse achieved the highest ever Timeform rating for a steeplechaser of 212? - Arkle.
- Which Derby winner was kidnapped in 1983 and never seen again? - Shergar.
Famous Jockeys
- Who rode a record nine winners of the Derby at Epsom? - Lester Piggott.
- How many times was Ruby Walsh the leading rider at the Cheltenham Festival? - 11.
- Who rode a record 269 winners to become champion Flat jockey in 1947? - Gordon Richards.
- Who was the first woman to ride the Grand National Winner? - Rachael Blackmore, on Minella Times in 2021.
- Who rode the winners of all seven races at Ascot in September 1996? - Frankie Dettori.
- In how many consecutive years was Tony McCoy champion jump jockey? - 20.
- Who rode Frankel in all 14 of his races? - Tom Queally.
- Which two dual Cheltenham Gold Cup winners did Paul Townend ride to victory? - Al Boum Photo and Galopin Des Champs.
- Who rode the Derby winner at Epsom in both 2023 and 2024? - Ryan Moore.
- Who rode dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll to victory in 2018-19? - Davy Russell.
Miscellaneous
- Horse racing in the UK is run by the BHA. What do those initials stand for? - British Horseracing Authority.
- Which is the newest ARC racecourse? - Ffos Las, which was opened in 2009.
- Who owned the winners of both the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas in 2025? - Godolphin.
- How many current racecourses are there in the UK? - 61.
- What is the official birthday of all UK racehorses? - January 1.
- In which year was the Grand National ruled to be a void race? - 1993.
